The absence of memory.

The article reports that there probably isn't a more meaningful antithesis to the actions of a great statesman than the behavior of the Czech prime minister. Stanislav Gross knew from the moment a mutual acquaintance brought Pavel Pribyl to a "football kickabout" that Pribyl was a former commander of an elite unit of violent communist power. Unlike some, Pribyl was actually proud of his "professionalism" as a communist agent. So gross appointed this "loyal professional" to high office at the Ministry of the Interior, defending him even after journalists drew attention to this fact.